While there is universal agreement that Vermont has a housing shortage, how to fix it and where to allocate funds continues to be debated. Recently, Governor Scott requested $80 million in ARPA funds for multiple housing initiatives for the current year budget and another $100 million in ARPA funds for a housing package next year.  The Vermont Chamber has suggested creating incentives for converting empty office buildings into housing in our downtowns and village centers and will advocate for the proposals outlined by the Vermont Futures Project to create workforce housing.  

The Vermont Chamber will also be an active voice in supporting the modernization of Act 250 to facilitate a more predictable and less costly permit process to better enable the development of housing in our downtown and village centers.